How Men Can Create A Minimalist Wardrobe
As a fashionable guy, it’s highly likely that your wardrobe is completely jam-packed with clothes that you never use (I, too, fall into that category!). This problem can cost you valuable time when trying to decide what to wear! In my latest article, I will look at how you can create a minimalistic clothing collection, allowing you to simplify your style. Carry on reading for more.
Capsule wardrobes are the new big thing in fashion. They allow you to declutter your busy assortment of clothes and replace them with a carefully curated selection of essential pieces, which you can easily mix and match with a number of different combinations to produce fantastic outfits with minimal effort.
In the following sections, I will share tips on how to build a fashionable, high-impact wardrobe that will guarantee you look stylish all year round.
The New Trend Of Minimal Wardrobes
The general idea of capsule closets is that less is more, and the so-called “rule of 5” translates into choosing only five items from each category (tops, trousers, jackets, etc). It is the unspoken rule that we are expected to wear different outfits each day, especially at work (unless you are required to wear a uniform) – if you work in a busy office, many guys will regularly change up their shirt colours and tie combos to keep a fresh look.
However, this belief has been one of the leading causes of ever-expanding wardrobes (even if some items we may only wear once and just hold onto them for that rainy day). It is stated that most of us only use 20% of owned clothes, so a change is crucial.
If you have been keeping up with current events, sustainability is pushing back against the increase of cheap fast fashion, attempting to combat large amounts of textile production that is damaging people and the planet. One of the basic ideas behind minimal wardrobes is to reduce our entire collection of clothes to a selection of pieces that seamlessly complement each other.
Minimalist Style Tips For Men
Denim Jeans Choices
Jeans are a great starting point when creating a minimalist ensemble, especially as they are so versatile and timeless. In the following points, I will suggest the best types to add to your capsule wardrobe.
Black Denim – choose a sleek pair of slim or skinny black jeans (nudie Jeans are a good shout). The dark silhouette showcases the shape of your legs. They can easily be paired with formal or casual ensembles, such as chunky knits and Chelsea boots, hoodies and sneakers, or even a shirt and blazer. If super-black is too harsh for your complexion, opt for a ‘washed’ colour that is a little more soft.
Grey Denim – grey denim has shown a resurgence in recent years (as noted by FashionBeans), and it is an effective addition to your collection. It pairs well with almost any shade and hue you can imagine (it is one of my favourite pairs to wear). It is the perfect in-between style of solid black and navy. For a standout look, throw on a white (or even pink!) top and rock with high tops for a superb street style.
Medium Blue Denim – For the ultimate pair of everyday denim, choose a medium blue wash (with just a hint of pre-distressing and whiskering that looks ‘realistic’) that works well with any casual style. Match it with a check shirt, simple tee, and boots or trainers, and you will always look great.
Minimalist Footwear Styles
Adding the correct footwear styles to your capsule collection is key—forgo any garish or bold shoe styles, instead focusing on plain or neutral models. Begin by incorporating a pair of basic white sneakers (low profile is best) that can be worn with your denim selection. Additionally, include a pair of boots (beige, brown, or black is ideal) and a smarter formal shoe such as a loafer (tan or dark brown).
During those summer months, it is also important to include something casual and easy to wear, such as espadrilles (which are always my go-to). However, if you want your feet to breathe easily when strolling across the beach, perhaps you could opt for something open-toed. If so, click here to see the complete barefoot sandals collection to see a number of styles that will ensure you look the part on that upcoming vacation!
Alternatively, consider suede-style footwear such as smart driving shoes (I actually own a few pairs in my collection), which can quickly transform a casual summer look (linen shirt and shorts) into something much smarter once slipped on.
Choose A Neutral Wardrobe
Adopting a neutral-toned wardrobe brings versatility to the table. Muted colours allow you to create effortless outfits suitable for numerous settings without being overly casual or formal. Even though simple colours can be considered ‘dull and boring’, a well-curated neutral palette can provide an unparalleled visual impact that is far more advanced than any bold colour ensemble if styled correctly.
Here are my top choices for your neutral wardrobe –
White – often overlooked as a ‘colour’, white is an excellent canvas for highlighting or muted colour tones in your outfit. T-shirts and knits are great choices.
Beige – the bread and butter of neutral colour tones in your collection. You can choose a number of different pieces (knitwear, trousers, footwear) in different shades and create an entire outfit that is eye-catching and effective.
Tan – similar to beige, only with an extra hint of zest. This slightly bolder hue is perfect for more significant pieces in the collection, such as outwear (overcoats, jackets), and can be the overall focal point.
Grey – in contrast to the hotter tones of beige and tan, a simple grey is an effective alternative. Consider jumpers and button-up cardigans (along with the aforementioned denim). Additionally, you can choose between warm or cool grey tones, depending on your companion pieces.
Final Points
Potentially look into the 333 capsule wardrobe style, which forces you to limit your clothing choices to only 33 pieces over a three-month period (consisting of clothing, outwear, shoes, and accessories). Only underwear, sleepwear, and gym clothes are excluded.
Additionally, it is recommended that stylish guys own at least four pairs of legwear items (trousers/jeans) that can easily be paired with different tops in their wardrobe.
However, if you are determined to limit your clothing selection to the bare minimum, a very streamlined capsule wardrobe consists of only 14 items in total (as such, you will save a lot of space but still look fantastic!).
Summary
Even though minimalism is not for everyone, the basic principles of reducing unused excess items and instead focusing on quality over quantity can be a total game-changer. In fact, you will be surprised how quickly you can adapt and work with only a few items, creating truly outstanding-looking outfits.
What do you think of my latest article? Please let me know in the comments below.
